Different scapular kinematics in healthy subjects during arm elevation and lowering: Glenohumeral and scapulothoracic patterns

Hypothesis

The scapulothoracic (ST) joint affects glenohumeral (GH) joint function. We observed 3-dimensional scapular motions during arm elevation and lowering to identify the scapulohumeral rhythm in healthy subjects and to compare it between the dominant and nondominant arms.

Materials and methods

Twenty-one healthy subjects participated in this study. Participants randomly elevated and lowered the arms in the scapular plane, and data were recorded by a computerized 3-dimensional motion analyzer at each 10° increment.

Results

Of the 42 shoulders, 21 showed a greater ratio of GH motion relative to ST motion whereas the other 21 showed a smaller ratio of GH motion relative to ST motion. The angle of upward rotation of the scapula showed a statistically significant difference between both types. The mean maximum angles of upward rotation, posterior tilting, and internal rotation were 36.2° ± 7.0°, 38.7° ± 5.7°, and 36.8° ± 12.2°, respectively. No significant difference was found in angles of 3 scapular rotations between the dominant and nondominant arms.

Discussion

These results indicate that there are 2 distinctly different scapulohumeral rhythms in healthy subjects but without a significant difference between dominant and nondominant arms. These findings should be referred to when one is interpreting kinematics in a variety of shoulder disorders.

Level of evidence: Basic Science Study

Keywords: Shoulder motion, scapular kinematics, 3-dimensional motion analyzer